lawyers Bui and Cartel face Criminal Charges Amidst Law Society Sanctions and Contempt Findings
Toronto, ON – Lawyers Jessica Bui and Jonathan Cartel, formerly of Cartel & Bui LLP, are now facing criminal charges following an examination into their firm’s practices. This progress comes after the Law Society of Ontario initiated disciplinary proceedings against Bui and placed the firm into trusteeship. Both lawyers have previously served jail time after being found in contempt of court during civil proceedings.
The police declaration regarding the criminal charges has not yet specified the alleged victims or the nature of the criminal acts.However, a court application filed in December to obtain a search warrant for the couple’s home revealed that investigators had received criminal complaints from 20 individuals between December 2023 and May 2024 concerning Cartel & Bui LLP. The same document identified over 40 individuals, along with banks and insurance companies, as potential victims.
Evidence uncovered by investigators suggests that the lawyers at Cartel & Bui LLP allegedly used the firm’s real estate trust account as a personal and business line of credit for years. According to the police application, thay are believed to have unlawfully drawn funds from the trust account to cover various personal and business expenses without apparent regard for repayment.
The Law Society of Ontario’s decision to place Cartel & Bui LLP into trusteeship followed the provisional suspension of both partners from practicing law. The specific details of the disciplinary charges brought against Bui by the Law Society have not been publicly disclosed, and no such charges have been announced against Cartel by the regulatory body.
